Era of competition allows no indifference - Bolashak scholarship graduate M. Sarsembayeva
Madina Sarsembayeva graduated from the Innovative University of Eurasia in Pavlodar in 2004. After then she worked as a teacher of foreign languages at the same university. In 2005 she decided to apply for Bolashak international scholarship and passed successfully all stages of the contest. In February 2007 she left for Holland to obtain Master's Degree in Science and Technologies of Education. "Studying there we learnt to compare and assess peculiarities of educational systems of other countries, to make statistical evaluation and use statistical methods in this process. My research work was devoted to multi-level tests. Studying in the foreign university was not easy for me. However those who search for knowledge find studying process as quite interesting. In Holland I assured myself in rightness of my decision to study while I am young", she says.
Why did you choose Holland? Are there any reasons for this?
As is known, many famous historical figures got education namely in the Netherlands. For example, Peter I. Secondly, this country is notable for high level of economic development and stable political situation. Thirdly, the University of Twente ranks the first among the higher educational institutions of the Netherlands and whole Europe. The University has a dormitory, a laboratory, a library, sports clubs and stores. Besides, around 600 production firms are functioning on its territory. This allows the students and tutors of the University to study and conduct scientific-research work too. The latest analysis of the EU shows that the University of Twente ranks the sixth in the sphere of applied sciences in innovations.
The years of study in the foreign country were a momentous period in your life. How do you intend to apply your knowledge and experience in Kazakhstan?
It would be no exaggeration to say that every day of my life in the Netherlands was full of events. I am glad of studying in one of the leading universities of the world and I am very grateful to this program and our President. After graduation I returned to Pavlodar and worked at the University. I tried to share my knowledge and experience with my colleagues. For this I made a presentation of the problem of evaluation and assessment in education. At present I am working at the Center for International Programs JSC, the administrator of Bolashak Presidential Program. The Center organizes study of the scholarship holders abroad and monitors this process. I can realize the difficulties and joy of success faced by every scholarship holder; therefore I consider my work in this sphere as quite important. We exert every effort in order to help the applicants, to give our advice to them.
I am confident in my knowledge obtained in the foreign country and I know it will be useful for many years in future. Undoubtedly, Kazakhstan needs talented youth to take worthy place in the global educational space.
What are the differences between the educational systems of Kazakhstan and the Netherlands?
The Netherlands pays much attention to mathematics and statistics. The students are provided with all opportunities to conduct research independently. There is no place for plagiarism and nobody strives for it. The best research works are published in scientific journals. However, there are some common features. Both Kazakhstan and the Netherlands lay emphasis on mathematics, especially in schools.
What would you say to young people who wish to apply for Bolashak scholarship?
Today amid tough conditions of competition, every graduate of Bolashak Presidential program must not forget about respect to his nation. Every graduate must think of his personal contribution to the development of the country, to improvement of life of ordinary people. Every minute, every second spent abroad must be used to good purpose. Do not waste your precious time. You should always remember your purpose of study and remember that there is no gain without pain.
Thank you for the interview!